Prisoner Of Birth --Jeffrey Archer

Book of the Month (July) Naresh's Pick - A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffery Archer

We had our second book discussion on August 10. Thanks everyone for participating in the call, especially Appu and Naresh for dialing in while driving.

Round of applause to all of us for having completed the book.

Thanks to Priya for keeping the minutes.

A special "pat on the back" to Naresh for having documented his thoughts so well. :)

Book of the Month for August was picked by PK - A Passage to India by E.M Forster. This book was selected as one of the 100 great works of English Literature by Modern Library.

Happy Reading everyone !

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Meeting Minutes
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Naresh : Overall I’d rate the book a b-. The narration is phenomenal. I was able to visualize everything as if it happened in front of me. The plot was pretty mediocre for a Jeffrey archer novel.

I was not convinced by the escape of Danny from the prison based on his identical looks with Nick. Even if Belmarsh was not a high security prison like the author mentioned, there are a few basic formalities which would make this plot look stupid. They take profile photographs of the prisoners in a million angles.

I was a little disappointed with the way the last two chapters turned out. I would have been more convinced if the last two chapters were swapped to show that Danny’s freedom came only after Davenport pleaded guilty.

Characters:Munro: His character seemed to be pristine and intelligent. He played a very key role, not only as the legal advisor during Danny’s disguise as Nick but also as a witness during the court session.


Rashmi : Liked the book but certain things were unbelievable for her especially the ‘escaping sequence’. The funny part she liked was in prison where Nick was teaching Danny table manners.
In the end it seemed like as though Nick was taking revenge and not Danny. She concluded by saying that Nick should not have died and Danny was to be released from the prison on his behalf.

Characters: Nick

Bhavesh : was happy reading the book. He enjoyed and liked the book. Some plots were falling apart for him. Appreciated the author for the story line and the ability of the author in depicting Danny as a ‘Brainy Character’. Did not like the identities being mixed up (Danny and Nick).He also showed some dissapointment in the author for not portraying Sir Mathew’s character earlier in the book and waited till the end.

Characters : Sir Mathew(Alex’s dad).


Pk : Initially boring but was soon engrossed in the book. Thought the story represented 80’s Bollywood movie( couple of songs missing). Did like Danny getting out of the prison in revenge to cut the roots of the antagonists in the book. It seemed like for him that Danny was not the actual Hero and that Beth and Nick were leading the story.
Did not like Nick being Murdered. Many plots or scenes were unbelievable.
Appreciated the author’s portrayal of the characters in the Belmarsh Prison.

Characters: Nick.

Appu : Beginning was fast but the ending was not getting any quicker(curious for the end). The court scene was capturing(desperate to what was going to happen in the court).
Story was a little dragging for her isolating the facts. Disliked the fact of being reminded by the author every time that Danny was replaced by Nick. Also she added on that the Hero of the book seemed like a fraud taking away Nick’s money even though Nick had written the will on Danny’s name. She compared the novel with
“Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less” (advised to read this book) and said that she liked the novel but could be much better.

Characters : Sir Mathew who pointed out some interesting points to his son Alex as well as to the Jury.


Venkat : Book was Interesting ,gave 4 out of 5 stars. Did not like the introduction, thought it to be unromantic(the proposal scene). Appreciated the author’s work in describing the scene where Danny pretends to be Nick and how he managed to sell the
Collection. Also liked the plot of Danny being set to take up as Nick(most of the help from his diary which he used to write everyday in the prison).
Pointed out many flaws , first the novel wasn’t strong towards the end and the revenge part became very week , second the author’s flaw in which Larry who had no money to start with but later has 1 mil. Dollars help from Danny .

Characters : Munro, Sir Mathew , Stamp Collector from Texas.


Dharma : Was a little disappointed with the novel .Liked Monte Christo more .
The novel was week . not represented well especially the second part of the book(Prison).
Agreed with Venkat on the flaws.
He thought the character of Larry Davenport’s sister was lost somewhere in the novel and the author should have done more with her coz her introduction was very good.
Overall did not enjoy the book.

Characters: Nick’s Lawyer, Munro.

Vandu : Liked the book. The last part(Redemption) court room scene was good. Thought that Nick played a pivotal role. Two most important things for her in the novel which she thought was not covered well were: First , Danny sleeping with that actress. Second , nick’s murder.

Priya : Liked the book. Even though the novel was too perfect still enjoyed it a lot.
Added the fact that the author did a fantastic job in portraying the charcter of Spencer Craig even though he plays the role of a villain here . He was sophisticated, learned, knew how to behave in the court room. Not only this but he also supported his friends in every manner he could. The portrayal of Alex, the lawyer was also well done. He was a young blood, adamant to get justice for his client, was ready to seek help from his dad in every way. Liked the scene in which Alex asks his dad on presenting Danny to the jury and his dad with all his experience advices him to think over again.

Characters: Alex, Nick.

Flaws common to all:

Did not like the one stand night of Danny.
Did not like Nick being Murdered.
The Revenge was not strong enough.
Nick should not have died.